Wednesday 24 May 2017 15:14, UK
Ed Joyce has quit Sussex and county cricket with immediate effect to focus on Ireland for the remainder of his career.
The 38-year-old is centrally contracted to Ireland but said before this season he would be available for Sussex as cover.
But Joyce's recovery from winter knee surgery has forced a rethink, and the left-hander leaves Hove eight years and more than 8000 first-class runs after his arrival from Middlesex.
"I fully intended on playing at least some cricket for Sussex in 2017 but the realities of my various injuries, alongside my playing commitments here in Ireland have meant that this isn't possible," said Joyce, who played for England at the 2007 World Cup before reverting to Ireland.
"There's no doubt in my mind I played my best cricket at Sussex and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the coaches, players, supporters and environment at the club that allowed me to do this."
Dubliner Joyce was named in England's winter Ashes squad in 2006 but switched allegiance back to his home country after failing to make a single Test appearance.
A decision on Ireland's Test status is due later this summer, and he said: "On the playing side, I'm still enjoying competing for Ireland and Leinster.
"With the prospect of Test cricket and full membership potentially on the horizon, it's an exciting time for Irish cricket and I want to play my part in this process as long as I feel I can contribute on the field."
